Murrow Grad. AU Alumnus. Multimedia Pro.

The Good, The Bad & The Verdict: Blade Runner 2049

Hey dear reader, it’s me here with yet another guide through the entertainment dotting our cinematic landscape. Previously, I had thought my work would be published in the paper review-wise when I saw a film, but due to some things I can’t discuss we aren’t doing that anymore.

So, lucky for you. My stuff is here to stay on my personal site. Are you excited? I hope so!

Tonight, I went and saw the long-delayed sequel to the cult 1980s film Blade Runner. Based on a work by acclaimed writer Philip K. Dick, it told the story of Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford.) and his work “retiring” human-like synthetics known as replicants. The original production was not a success at the time of its release, but has since gone on to be one of the most acclaimed and influential sci-fi films of all time. When they announced the sequel in 2011, I was worried. After all, how many good films released decades after their original in a franchise can you even name?

Never the less, I braved the confines of the theater near my home, and rolled the dice to see whether 2049 would live up to the hype. In the new story, a character known as K (Ryan Gosling)., gets caught up in an adventure which eventually brings him to Deckard (Ford.) I’d say more, but I am a classy man and don’t like to spoil. So look below for my rundown of the film.

The Good

If you like slow-burn movies and adored the gritty and dreary style of the first film. Then you will like this piece. Unlike today’s California, the one in this world never seems to stop being rainy, snowy or totally sunless and director Villeneuve wisely chose to keep the 80’s brands intact from the original film. I won’t spoil anything, so let’s just say some logos in the film have fallen aside in the years since the original piece was put together in the time of President Reagan.

The Bad

Ultimately, and though it pains me to say this, there’s a little bit of filler in this movie. Had the director shaved 20 or 30 minutes of car rides and lingering shots off of the film, you’d still have a slow-paced piece which would’ve received even more acclaim from critics than it has presently received. For real, there are honestly points in the movie where you can nap and miss nothing.

The Verdict

If you’re a fan of slow-burn detective films with a gritty and grimy sci-fi aesthetic, then this is the film for you. If you disliked Arrival, maybe give 2049 a pass and wait for a Netflix stream.